I strongly believe that trees are a vital public health amenity. From my own experiences, I have seen how communities with low tree canopy make it harder for children to spend time outdoors.
In the city’s recent budget, Bakersfield allocated $500,000 toward planting trees. I applaud the city for listening to its community, but how can we realistically expand Bakersfield’s tree canopy if the current investment represents only a fraction of what is needed?
According to the city’s estimate, as highlighted by Dr. Antje Laurer from the Sierra Club. The cost of one tree is $500, so the city’s investment funds roughly 1,000 trees. To increase Bakersfield’s tree canopy by 1%, you need 4,000 trees, which is $ 2 million per year.
Ultimately, the investment falls short of addressing the broader public health and equity challenges stemming from Bakersfield’s lack of a tree canopy.
I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the benefits trees provide. In a city where extreme heat is a part of our daily lives, access to shade isn’t just about comfort; it makes neighborhoods more walkable and creates cooler, healthier places to live.
Unfortunately, access to the benefits trees provide is not equal across Bakersfield. According to the “Assessing Bakersfield’s Urban Canopy Coverage” ArcGIS StoryMap, the accompanying interactive map shows that wealthier neighborhoods have noticeably more tree cover than lower-income neighborhoods, highlighting an unequal distribution of shade across the city.
It’s sad to see that the neighborhoods in Bakersfield that already suffer from poverty are put at an even greater disadvantage with noticeably less tree coverage. A 2022 peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Environmental Management found that increasing urban tree coverage can significantly reduce heat-related deaths, with hotter, drier cities benefiting the most.
This study shows why the unequal distribution of trees matters, especially for neighborhoods already struggling with poverty. One area should not have a higher risk of heat-related death just because it has fewer trees.
To me, the lack of trees isn’t just a neighborhood issue; it’s a community issue that affects everyone in Bakersfield. Nobody can escape the effects of air pollution, but more trees provide an effective, affordable way to improve air quality.
When friends and family come to Bakersfield, they often mention how horrible the air quality is here. Being from Bakersfield, this is disheartening to hear, and I believe planting more trees will help in combating this issue.
As I’ve mentioned, trees allow for outdoor activity. As a result, they can promote healthier lifestyles. According to the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps public health report, the obesity rate in Kern County is 36%. Although many factors contribute to obesity, access to trees in neighborhoods and shaded parks plays a bigger role than many people realize.
Wealthier neighborhoods often have more trees, making it easier for children and families to spend time outside walking, playing, or exercising. In many lower-income communities, the lack of shade and extreme heat can make outdoor activities less appealing, reducing opportunities for physical activity and contributing to health disparities over time.
I would love to see Bakersfield establish a more robust long-term plan. One solution already exists: the CSUB Tree management plan. While the plan focuses on urban forestry, it provides evidence that trees help address climate issues, reduce pollution, and improve water management.
It sets a citywide canopy target and focuses on canopy coverage equity by using maps that show areas with low canopy coverage, which are deemed hot spots (no shade) and have high air pollution. Rather than creating a new plan, I advocate adopting the CSUB tree plan by the city.
Community members can help by attending city council meetings and advocating for more trees in our community. Your voice can encourage local leaders to invest in a healthier, greener future for everyone.
Bakersfield doesn’t have to continue ranking among the worst in so many health measures. By investing in trees and prioritizing the neighborhoods that need them most, we can build a healthier community for everyone.
